Hay Festival has today launched #ASKHAY, a digital project that poses questions sent in from all over the world to the many star names who will be appearing this year.
The campaign aims to celebrate "expertise" by tapping into the collective knowledge of the 600-plus writers, thinkers and performers who will be appearing at this year’s festival, which runs from May 24 to June 3.
The organisers are looking to choose 100 questions submitted by members of the public and will post the answers on social media. Questions can be submitted for consideration by posting them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram by Wednesday, May 23, tagging @hayfestival and using #AskHay.
Questions can range from the topical (What will Brexit mean for me?), personal (How can I find true love?), technical (Where did the term ‘drangway’ come from?), existential (What is consciousness?) to specific (How do I plant a rose bush?) or general (How can I achieve happiness?), 100 questions will be selected and answered on site with responses posted throughout the Festival’s 11 days.
Peter Florence, director of Hay Festival, said: “The world is phenomenally complex and wonderful. We’ve got some of the world’s most brilliant people here for 10 days. What do we want to know? What are the burning questions of the day? What can real, live, expert humans tell us that Alexa and Siri cannot? Let’s ask.”
Featuring over 600 of the world’s greatest writers, global policy makers, pioneers and innovators in 800 events across 11 days, the Festival showcases the latest ideas in the arts, sciences and current affairs, alongside a rich schedule of music, comedy and entertainment for all ages.
Among the big names appearing at this year’s festival are Chelsea Clinton, Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Jilly Cooper, Salman Rushdie, Richard Dawkins, Germaine Greer, Simon Schama, Melvyn Bragg, Ruby Wax, Gordon Brown, Michael Gove, David Miliband, Bear Grylls, Monty Don, Chris Bonington, David Walliams, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, David Baddiel and Dara O’Briain.
Besides this galaxy of stars and many other leaders in their fields, this year’s Hay Festival will see the biggest ever HAYDAYS and #HAYYA programmes give young readers the opportunity to meet their heroes and get creative.
Fore more information about #ASKHAY visit hayfestival.org/ask-hay. To explore the 2018 programme and book tickets visit hayfestival.org or call 01497 822 629.